System and method for cooling an information handling system

Abstract

A method for cooling components of an information handling system (IHS) includes detecting, via a thermal control system, at least one pressure reading, at least one temperature reading and at least one current cooling device setting of the IHS. At least one new cooling device setting is calculated based on the pressure reading and the temperature reading. The new cooling device setting is compared to the current cooling device setting associated with one or more cooling devices of the IHS. In response to the new cooling device setting being different from the current cooling device setting, one or more of the corresponding cooling devices are triggered to adjust its / their current cooling device setting to the new cooling device setting corresponding to the respective cooling device.

Description

BACKGROUND[0001]1. Technical Field[0002]The present disclosure generally relates to information handling systems and in particular to cooling of an information handling system.[0003]2. Description of the Related Art[0004]As the value and use of information continue to increase, individuals and businesses seek additional ways to process and store information. One option available to users is information handling systems. An information handling system generally processes, compiles, stores, and / or communicates information or data for business, personal, or other purposes, thereby allowing users to take advantage of the value of the information. Because technology and information handling needs and requirements vary between different users or applications, information handling systems may also vary regarding what information is handled, how the information is handled, how much information is processed, stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the information may be proc...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This patent is about a cooling control system for an information handling system (IHS) that includes a cooling controller, temperature and pressure sensors, and a cooling device. The cooling controller uses the sensed temperature and pressure readings to calculate new cooling device settings that are different from the current settings. When there is a difference, the cooling controller triggers the cooling device to adjust its settings to the new settings. The technical effect of this patent is to improve the efficiency and accuracy of cooling the components of an IHS by automatically adjusting the cooling device settings based on the detected temperature and pressure readings.

Problems solved by technology

Unfortunately, many components, such as hard disk drives and graphics cards, do not have thermal sensors and are located in areas within an information handling system that do not have thermal sensors to provide temperature feedback.

This causes the thermal management system to err on the safe side by operating fan speeds at higher levels than would otherwise be required to cool the system.

The higher fan speeds produce poor acoustic performance and cause increased power consumption by the information handling system.

Another problem with current information handling systems is that thermal sensors can give readings that indicate the system is operating within specifications when in fact hotspots may be occurring in different areas of the information handling systems due to inadequate or blocked air flow.

Images